Alexandra Champalimaud's Favorite Shade of Red

In the decade since interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud and her husband Bruce Schnitzer moved to Litchfield, Connecticut, the couple has made it their mission to preserve the original architecture and history of the community. In fact, it was their own home that spurred their involvement: built in 1753 by Oliver Wolcott Sr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the residence is the oldest standing property in the town and has been listed as a National Historic Landmark. So when it came to refurbishing and decorating the interiors, Champalimaud restored the faded walls of every room with a color palette true to the region's 18th-century traditions. Her favorite space of all? The red library.

"The red of the library stands out in particular to me because there are many examples throughout history of indigenous cultures and places other than New England that use this same red," says Champalimaud. "It has to do with the original pigments and minerals of the landscape that were available to the people." Historically, red ochre was abundant along river banks of the U.S., Canada, and Northern Mexico. Vegetables and roots such as beets and bloodwort were also used by native residents of these regions for decorative, religious, and ceremonial painting. (Source: The Materiality of Color, Ashgate Pub Co).

While on holiday in Bhutan, Champalimaud discovered that an almost identical red hue originated in this Himalayan country. Enamored by the artwork she saw during her trip, Bhutanese culture became Champalimaud's primary inspiration for the decor of her guest pool house.

While both the main building and guest house have a unique layout, both feel cohesive thanks to the common palette; they're also grounded with historic references and outfitted with traditional American and antique furniture. Champalimaud adds, "This color makes me feel like I'm in a much larger space than I truly am. It’s very nurturing."